A former McKinsey consultant-turned-academic explains how embracing uncertainty and exercising sound judgment can lead to better business decisions and drive innovation.

A month after the US elections, potential changes to trade relationships and other policies are top of mind for executives. Expectations for the global economy remain largely stable.

The CEO and co-founder of Arbol discusses how the insurtech fills gaps in insurance coverage with parametric solutions powered by AI while drawing from a diverse array of expertise.

Maximizing generative AI’s promise while minimizing its misuse requires an inclusive approach that puts humans first.

Fast-increasing demand for battery raw materials and imbalanced regional supply and demand are challenging battery and automotive producers’ efforts to reduce Scope 3 emissions.

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, employing nearly 60% of workers and contributing almost 40% to the nation's value-added output. Accounting for 34,752,434 companies, 99.9% of all American companies are small businesses. However, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the U.S. are only half as productive as large companies, a stark contrast to the 60% productivity ratio seen in other advanced economies, according to research by my colleagues at the McKinsey Global Institute. This gap in productivity is equivalent to 5.4% of GDP, making it crucial to boost U.S. competitiveness in a shifting global market, writes Kweilin Ellingrud in Forbes.

As business travel regains momentum, opportunities could arise for companies that can offer tech solutions for evolving challenges.

Our latest ConsumerWise research finds omnichannel shopping gaining momentum as consumer demand for value purchases persists.

Tariffs are top of mind for executives—and are likely to stay there. Understanding various tariff scenarios can position leaders to seize opportunities in the coming years.

As 2024 draws to a close, we look back at some of the best insights from McKinsey thought leaders.

Companies that are effective at separations can significantly outperform their peers. Our latest survey highlights the opportunities, and complexities, of achieving a successful separation.

In the green transition, the steel industry needs to find ways to lower emissions. One way forward could be rethinking not only how but where steel manufacturing happens across the globe.

You’re busy. You’re under pressure. But yes, you still need to carve out more time for your team. Here’s why—and how the best leaders make it happen.

Value at stake provides a framework for companies to approach risks and opportunities from sustainability.

The World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, current and alumni, share their thoughts on issues they believe should get much more attention in Davos but might not amid a plethora of business topics.

In recent years, many consumer companies have delivered strong price-driven sales growth at the expense of volume. As inflation abates, they will need a more sophisticated recipe.

After years of outperforming the rest of the market, the chemicals industry’s returns are lagging. To reverse this trend, the industry will need to rethink how it creates value.

Though 24/7 clean power purchase agreements are gaining global momentum and could drive the deployment of storage and flexible generation assets, they require power suppliers to develop new capabilities.

Recent trends indicate an improvement in the affordability of a four-year degree in the United States. The question is whether the trend can continue.

For all their efforts to reignite growth, telcos have yet to overcome their fundamental challenges. Doing so is still feasible, but the viable paths will require unprecedented transformation.

The procurement function regularly reinvents itself to find new sources of value. Is circularity the next opportunity on the horizon?

Battery chemistry for electric vehicles is evolving rapidly, leading to repercussions for the entire value chain.

Europe can lead in deep tech—with an ecosystem approach and a well-managed investment strategy.

Historically, the fertilizer market has experienced slow and steady growth; however, demand shifts could change the picture by 2040.

Digital investments are paying off in logistics, but challenges still persist.

Instituting a geopolitics strategy around people can strengthen the cohesion of the organization while protecting it from risks.

Eli Lilly and Company’s chief information and digital officer explains how a medicine company rewires itself to embrace technology—starting with the CEO.

Sharpen your problem-solving skills the McKinsey way, with our weekly crossword. Each puzzle is created with the McKinsey audience in mind, and includes a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) business theme for you to find. Answers that are directionally correct may not cut it if you’re looking for a quick win.

The leader of Blackstone Credit and Insurance looks at where the industries have been and where they’re headed.

Fighting fraud that targets the federal government is an opportunity worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Agencies, legislature, and the public could work together to claim some of that back.

From navigating the CEO journey to boosting employee engagement to discovering your company’s superpower, here are this year’s highlights from the Five Fifty.

Leading companies are using transformation to achieve profitable growth—enabled by specific behaviors.

Despite a range of challenges, Latino-owned small businesses are growing rapidly. Investing in their potential can support future generations of Latino entrepreneurs and boost the US economy.

Copy.ai co-founder and CEO Paul Yacoubian discusses his approach to growth, expanding product offerings, and using analytics to give customers exactly what they need.

US transit agencies face a daunting moment in which revenue and funding struggle to keep pace with the escalating costs of growth and innovation. How can balance sheets get back on track?

Our interviews with top CROs reveal practices risk leaders at financial institutions can use to expand their influence and build greater resilience in their organizations amid unrelenting change.

New research shines a light on the next arenas of competition: the high-growth industries of today that will transform the business landscape of tomorrow.

McKinsey partner James Patchett discusses the success factors that mixed-use developers are wise to keep top of mind.

The CEO and co-founder of the embedded-finance company Alviere discusses the opportunity in enabling brands to offer their customers financial services.

Here are some of the McKinsey Global Institute’s favorite data visualizations from 2024.

Declining used-car prices represent an opportunity for European leasing players to embrace more-sophisticated forecasting models and risk mitigation strategies.

Explore a visual journey of the imagery that accompanied some of our authors’ biggest ideas and most timely insights in 2024, helping to shape a future defined by innovation and resilience.

After COP29, as everyone looks ahead to 2025, the outlook on sustainability and related investments is not straightforward. This article captures reflections from our discussions in and around COP29 and some views on the path ahead.

Here’s a look back at some of McKinsey Global Publishing’s favorite data visualizations from the year.

We analyzed data from more than 1,700 teams to identify the capabilities that lead to the most effective outcomes. Here are key actions leaders can take to empower their teams to go the extra mile.

Sharpen your problem-solving skills the McKinsey way, with our weekly crossword. Each puzzle is created with the McKinsey audience in mind, and includes a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) business theme for you to find. Answers that are directionally correct may not cut it if you’re looking for a quick win.

Internet pioneer Vint Cerf suggests that software designers need more exposure to accessibility issues to make the internet more usable for all.

After years of optimizing and expanding operations, Minsur set out to achieve next-generation operational excellence. The key: transforming the culture to foster empowerment and inclusive leadership.

As African fintechs evolve, businesses and investors are shifting their focus from a growth-at-all-costs approach to investing in sustainable paths to success.

A pragmatic, customer-centric business model can help companies achieve profitable growth by reimagining business processes end to end with the aid of digital technologies.